Dispensing device for filling grease guns and the like



Aug. 31, 1943. E. P. SUNDHOLM J 2,328,363

DISPENSING DEVICE FORFILLING GREASE GUNS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 9, 1959 a Sheets-Sheet 1 A 8 4 E. P. SUNDHOLM DISPENSING DEVICE FOR FILLING GREASE GUNS AND THE LIKE I File d Nov. 9, 1959 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTO Aug. 31, 1943. E. P. SUNDHOLM DISPENSING DEVICE FOR FILLING GREASE-GUNS AND THE LIKE 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. 6%:5

Filed Nov. 9, 1959 BY a/ Edyzrz Aug. 31, 1943- E. P. SUNDHOLM 2,328,363

DISPENSING DEVICE FOR FILLING GREASE GUNS AND THE L IKE Filed Nov. 9, 1 39 s Sheets-Sheet 4 1O f .10 J04 i 6 INVENTOR.

S- 3- E. P. SUNDHOLM 2,328,363

DISPENSING DEVICE FOR FILLING GREASE GUNS AND THE LIKE Filed. Noy. 9, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 v INVENTOR 'ITORNEY.

Aug. 31, 1943. E. P. SUNDHOLM DISPENSING DEVICE FOR FILLING GREASE GUNS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 9, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 I ATTORNEY.

N E. P. SUND'HOLM 2,328,363

DISPENSING DEVICE FOR FILLING GREASE GUNS AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 9 1959 '8 Sheets-Sheet 7 Aug. 31,1943. E. P. SU'NDHOLM 4 2,328,363

DISPENSING DEVICE For FILLING GREASE GUNS AND THE LIKE Filed NOV. 9, 1939 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 F 107 I j a Z I /fi 91 V l 'li 65 C f 1.9 64-. we I 109 --J6 25+ 1a l1;- o6 5 2' INVENTOR. E Jug/ r1 P surwz ua Patented Aug. 31, 1943- UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE DISPENSING DEVICE FOR FILLING GREASE GUNS AND THE LIKE Edwin r. Sundholm, Albert city, Iowa Application November 9, 1939, Serial No. 303,655

.21 Claims.

The present invention relates to a gun-filling dispensing device which may also be used. as an original vendable-p'ackage unit for more or less viscous fluids such 'as th various grades of greases, printing inks, or the like,'whereby such and other more or less viscous fluids may be more readily and more efliciently dispensed from the original 'vendable container unit, and the present invention relates more particularly to dispensingcontainers for shipping and storing relatively large supplies (that is, 10, 25,40, 50, 75, 100 or more pounds) of grease, printing ink, or similar more or less viscous fluids, .and having means whereby, and being so arranged that, the

viscous-fluid content of such dispensing-container may be filled ordispensed directly into the tubular reservoirs or so-called barrels of grease-guns and like applicators used for the 111- timate distribution and dispensing of greases or other viscous fluids, without the necessity of 1adling out or otherwise first removing the grease from th vendable dispensing-device by extraneous means; the tubular reservoir or so-called barrel" of the conventional grease-gun or like applicator or ultimate dispenser being used diand thento pull the rod or handle of the greasegun follower-piston back so as to suck the grease into the grease-gun barrel as for instance, the barrels of the grease-guns of Patents Nos. 1,377,- 023, 2,024,097, 2,124,077, 1,587,597, 1,692,423, 1,696,606, 1,619,126, 1,894,274, 1,926,398, 1,905,878 and 1,981,495. This type of operation may have the dual effect of carrying dirt into the greasedrumor grease-bucket and also of getting the grease-gun reservoir or barrel smeared with grease on the outside. v

One of the objects of the present invention is to eliminate the above noted objections by providing an original v endable grease-dispensing device on which the lid may be left substantially intact, without ever disturbing the same, so that no foreign matter can get into the grease and so that only fresh and clean grease can be furnished to the. grease-gun; and-so that the grease-gun dispensing device which may be used as the orig- One of the difliculties long experienced in filling grease-guns with grease from original containers, such as drums or buckets, is that the lid of such grease-drum or grease-bucket must first be removed in order to gain access to the grease, and the lid is frequently not replaced on the drum or bucket and often cannot be replaced so as to exclude dirt, because in prying the lid oil the drumthe rim of the lid is often damaged and distorted. These grease-drums or greasebuckets are used in garages, farms and places where all kinds of foreign'matter, such as leaves, dirt, grit and dirty water frequently get into the drum or bucket and on top of the grease. One customary way of filling grease-guns has been to: ladle or scoop out the grease with a paddle of wood or the like and then ladle it into the greaseg'un barrel with a similar manual operation; while'another customary way or filling greaseguns has been to submerge the end of the cylindrical grease-reservoir. or so-called barrel' of the grease-gun into the drum or bucket or grease inal container or package in which the grease or the like is shipped and sold, and which may also serve as an intermediate dispenser into which the grease or the like is placed from the original package, and which (dispensing-device of my resent invention) is so arrangedthat the grease or the like may be covered at all times so as to keep itclean, and that it may be withdrawn from time to time in relatively smaller quantities directly into the reservoir portion or I barrel of the conventional grease-gun or the like without the necessity of separately handling the grease or other fluid.

A further object of th present invention is to provide a dispensing device of the character stated i'rom which substantially all the fluid-contents thereof may be completely removed without substantial waste.

A further object of the present invention'i-s to provide a dispensing-device to which the general- 1y cylindrical reservoir or "barrel of the conventional grease-guns or the like may be screwthreadedly or otherwise detachably secured in a quick and easy manner, so that by withdrawing the follower piston in said reservoir or barrel:

of the conventionalgrease-gun or the like, said reservoir or barreP' will be completely filled with a fresh supply of greaseor thelike from the dispensing-devlce forming the subject matter of the present invention.

One phase of the presentinvention contemtial quantity of grease or other more or less viscous fluid such as printing ink or the like, as for instance, 10, 25, 50, or 100 pounds or more, and

preferably having a freely floating piston-like V follower-plate therein adapted to rest on the: top of the body of the viscous fluid and to ride downwardly on the top surface of the fluid, a suctionreceiving or barrel-receiving socket on the outside of said container near the bottom thereof for telescopically receiving the intake end or suctional end of the cylindrical reservoir or barrel of the conventional type grease-gun or like applicator or ultimate dispenser and for making a fluid-seal therewith, an aperture in the bottom of the container and a conduit communicating withsaid aperture and said socket for conveying the fluid from said container to said socket, and means for spacing the bottom of the container above the floor level or supporting surface upon which the container is to rest, sufllciently to clear ervoir, which acts as a trunnion around which the socket pivots.

Figure 4 represents a perspective view of the passage-cover plate and apron which forms a part of the bottom of the fluid-dispensing device when completed, and the downwardly depending perforated apron of which serves to receive the sealing flange of the base-plate of the shut-01f shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the baseplate of the shut-oflfl which in the finished dispensing device is preferably permanently afiixed to the face of the boss illustrated particularly in Figure 3, after the gun- -receiving ring (shown in Figure 6) has beenltelescoped over it in the manner indicated generally in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 6 represents a perspective view of the gun-receiving ring of the shut-01f.

Figure '7 represents a perspective view of the rotatable shut-01f disc or valve disc forming part of the shut-off.

Figure 8 represents a perspective view of the off-set disc-like pivot member and fastening means, by which the rotatable shut-off disc (shown in Figure 7) is pivotally secured to the stationary base-plate shown in Figure 5 in the manner shown in Figures 1 and 2.

said passageway and said suction-receiving or barrel-receiving socket.

Another phase of the present invention also contemplated certain novel principles, features and details of construction, in a viscous-fluid dispensing device of the kind indicated, whereby the objectives hereinabove set forth may be attained in 'a practical durable and efilcient form at a. cost low enough to permit the wide and general use of such fluid-dispensing device as an original single-trip" container, namely, one which the manufacturer or supplier of grease, printing ink or the like can afford to use without materially increasing the price of his product and without having to take back the emptied container from his vendees for refund.

The present invention further contemplates certain other novel features and details of construction, all of which will appear more fully from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings,

For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the accompanying drawings forms thereof which are at present preferred, since the same have been found in practice to give satisfactory and reliable results, although it is to be understood that the various instrumentalities of which the invention consists can be variously arranged and organized and that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangement and organization of the instrumentalities as herein shown and described.

Referring to the drawings in which like reference characters indicate like parts,

Figure 1 represents a vertical cross-sectional view of a fluid-dispensing device embodying the present invention, shown as in actual use.

Figure 2 represents a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional perspective view of the discharge socket and shut-oil means forming a part of the fluid-dispensing device shown in Figure 1, but shown on a much enlarged scale, in order better to illustrate the details.

Figure 3 represents a fragmentary perspective view of the exterior portion of the reservoir. of the fluid-dispensing device, including the socket-car- Figure 9 represents a cross-sectional view generally on line 9-9 of Figure 1, showing the shutoff in the closed position.

Figure 10 represents a fragmentary perspective view of the lower portion of the reservoir of the fluid-dispensing device, with the outer wall containing the, boss broken away, and also with a part of the bottom broken away, so as to expose to view the formation of the discharged channel in the bottom and the formation of the juncture between said channel and the downwardly depending flange of the bottom which is sealed by crimping to the side wall of the reservoir.

Figure 11 represents a cross-sectional view on line lI-H of Figure 1. v

Figure 12 represents a perspective view of a pressed steel or die-cast closure plug which may be inserted into the gun-receiving ring hown in Figure 6 of the shut-off forming a part of the fluid-dispensing device, when it is desired more permanently to close the device.

Figure 13 represents a vertical sectional view similar to thatv shown in Figure'z, showing a somewhat modified form of construction.

Figure 14 represents a section on line N-Il of Figure 13, on a much smaller scale, however.

Figure 15 represents a perspective view of the pivotally mounted and rotatable shut-01f disc 11- lustrated in Figures 13 and 14, on approximately the same scale as that shown in Figure 14, and with a part of it broken away, so as more fully to illustrate the construction thereof.

Figure 16 represents a cross-sectional view similar to that shown in Figure 14, but illustrating a modified form of construction.

Figure 1'7 represents aperspective view of the shut-off disc of. the modified form of construction shown in Figure 16.

Figure 18 represents a vertical cross-sectional view similar to that shown in Figures 2 and 13. of a somewhat modified form of construction.

Figure 19 represents a perspective view of an angular extension formof base plate or member for carrying the shut-off and gun-receiving elements at an angle to the reservoir..

7 Figure 20 represents a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of a modified form of conrying boss pressed out of the side wall of the resstruction.

Figure 21 represents a fragmentary cross-section.

Figure 22 represents a vertical sectional view of a dispensing device embodying the form of construction shown in Figure 21.

Figure 23 represents an end elevational view of the form of construction shown in. Figure 20.

Figure 24 represents a perspective view of a gun-receiving socket-ring similar to that shown in Figure 6, but of a modified form of construction.

Figure 25 represents a fragmentary perspective view of the gun-receiving socket and shut-off parts of the fluid-dispensing device of the present invention and the adjacent portions of the reservoir. j

Figure 26 represents a perspective view of a cover plate and apron similar to that shown in Figure 4, but of a modified form of construction.

Figure 27 represents a vertical cross-sectional view, similar to that shown in Figure 1, of the lower part of the fluid-dispensing device embodying the present invention, showing the form of plate illustrated in Figure 26.

Figure 28 represents a vertical cross-sectional view similar to that shown in Figure 27, illustrating a modified form of construction without a shut-oil? in the gun receiving socket.

Figure 29 represents a fragmentary vertical cross-sectional view of a fluid-dispensing device embodying the present invention showing a modified form of follower construction.

Figure 30 represents a vertical cross-sectional view illustrating a modified form of construction in one phase of the present invention, being 11- lustrated with the non-revoluble form of gunreceiving socket I5 illustrated in Figure 28, al-

though this modified form of construction may be employed with the revoluble form of gun-receiving socket with shut-off as shown in Figures 1, 2, 13, 18, and 27.

Figure 31 represents a section on line 3|-3l of Figure 30.

Figure 32 represents a fragmentary perspective view of the modified form of cover plate 21 shown in the modified form of construction illustrated in Figures and 31.

Figure -33 represents a fragmentary sectional view of a modified form of construction in one phase of the present. invention, being illustrated with the non-revoluble form of gun-receiving socket I5 illustrated in Figure 28, although this modified form of construction may be employed with the revoluble form of gun-receiving socket Figure 36 represents a section on line 16-36 of Figure 35. X

The fluid-dispensing device of the present invention'is suitable for use in filling the small portable type grease-guns exemplified in United States Patents Nos. 2,024,097; 2, 24, 1, 1,692,423, 1,696,606, 1,619,126, 1,377,023, 1,894,274,

and 1,926,398, in which the generally cylindrical fluid-reservoir or so-called "barreP has within it a follower-piston and in which said cylindrical fluid-reservoir or "barrel" may be refilled from time to time by unscrewing or otherwise detaching from it the pump portion of device (which is sometimes referred to as the head" or highpressure head of the grease-gun) and by then submerging the thus opened end or freeend of the barrel of the grease-gun into a supply or grease and then manually withdrawing the follower-piston in said gun-barrel by a suitable piston-rod, or pull rod or chain so as to suck said gun barrel full of grease.

The fiuid-dispensing'device of the present invention includes a generally cylindrical body 5 of suitable diameter and height to provide the desired volumetric capacity, and a bottom 5 hav-.

ing an opening 1 preferably centrally thereof,

although the opening may be of! center and according to the size of the container, but preferably tempered or drawn to have some resiliency or springiness. The thicknesses shown in the drawings are exaggerated for purposes'of more ready illustration. Other thin or light-weight formretaining sheet-materials may be used, as for instance,-hard, form-retaining fibrous (or nonfibrous) sheet materials suitably impregnated or otherwise compoundedwith grease and oil resistant ingredients.

The bottom 6 is preferably formed with a'flange 8 of suitable depth to clear the lateral conduit 9 with shut-oil as shown in Figures 1, 2, 13, 18, 25

and 27. v

Figure 34 represents a fragmentary sectional view of a still further modified form of construction in one phase of the present invention, being illustrated with the non-revoluble form of gunreceiving socket l5 illustrated in Figure 28, al-

and gun-receiving socket to which will be described more fullyhereinafter, thus forming a downwardly cupped member or inverted cupshaped member. The flange 8 of the inverted cup-like bottom is of an external diameter such as to telescope into the lower end of the cylindrawing or forming operation. The flange 8 may though this modified form of construction'may beemployed with the revoluble form of gun-receiving socket with the shut-off as shownin Figures 1, 2, 13, 18, 25 and 27.

' Figure 35 represents a fragmentary sectional view of a still further modified form of construction in one phase of the present invention, being illustrated with the non-revoluble form ofgunreceiving socket l5 illustrated in Figure 28, although this modified form of construction may be employed with the revoluble form of gunreceiving socket with the shut-oil as shown in Figures 1,2, 13, is, 25 and 27.

then be turned and folded and crimped or. "double-seamed along with the lower peripheral edge -of the cylindrical body 5, to form a crimped and interlapping bead-like seam or doubleseam II with the lower peripheral edge of the cylindrical body 5, which seam thus unites the flange 8 with the corresponding lower portion of the cylindrical body 5, and which, at the same time, secures'the bottom 6 permanently in place in fluid-sealed relation to the body 5. The bottom 6'may also be held in place in a raised position by other means, as for instance, by welding it in place to the side-wall of the body 5 or by forming an outwardly pressed slightly annular or peripheral groove in the body 5, at a suitable height above the lower extremity thereof into which the outer marginal portion of the bottom 6 may extend, to be held in place thereby. Likewise, the bottom 6 may have but a short downwardly extending flange which maybe spot- -welded to the side of the body 5.

The generally upright body 5 need not necessarily be cylindrical in shape or circular in horizontal cross-section, but may also be polygonal in horizontal cross-section, although the generally cylindrical form is preferable.

The portion of the body 5 which is below the bottom 6 need not be continuous in its circumference, but may be out out in parts to form a the opening 1 and extending to the flange #8 of the bo tom.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the transverse bottom conduit is formed by pressing suitable channel-shaped depression 26 out of the bottom 6 of the device, but integrally therewith, and then superimposing a threaded ends ll of the barrel l8 of the greasegun or like device. Screw-thread l6 may also be provided externally if the threaded end l1 of,the barrel I8 is internally screw-threaded. In that event, the gasket 32 would be externally disposed with respect to the ring l5 instead of being placed internally as shown in the drawings and the ring would be provided with a suitable external annular shoulder for acting as an abutment or seat for the gasket 32. Instead of screw-threads indicated in the drawing, the ring l5 may be provided with any other quick attachment locking means such as a bayonet catch or other locking means corresponding to the locking means provided at the suction end ll of the barrel I8 of the grease-gun or the like,

. or the ring l5 may be entirely without intereating with the interior of the container through flat plate 21 over said depression 26 and spotwelding it, fusing it, soldering it, or otherwise securing it to the bottom 6 along the marginal zone around the depression 26. In this preferred form of construction, the flat plate 21 may contain the central opening 1 as indicated in. Figures 1, 4, 11,22, 26, 27 and 28, or the opening may be located off center but spaced inwardly from the side-wall 5 of the device. The opening 1 may also be formed by cutting the plate 21 shorter than the depression 26so that the inner end of the depression 26 extends beyond'the inner end of the plate 21.

A preferably circular boss 63 is pressed outwardly out of the side wall of the reservoir 6 in a zone partly above and partly below the level of the bottom 6 of the reservoir in the manner indicated particularly in Figures 1, 2 and 3, said. boss having a fiat end wall 64.

Intermediate the outer end of the depressed channel 26 and the adjacent part of the depende ing flange 8 of the bottom of thereservoir', the metal is folded back upon itself as at l2, as indicated more particularly in Figures 2, 10, 13 and 18. The cover plate 21, which is secured (as for instancaby spot welding) to the bottom 6 along the marginal zone indicated by the dotted lines 28, is provided at its outer end with a downwardly depending skirt 29, the outermost portions 30 of which are disposed adjacent to the periphery of the reservoir, while the central portion 3| of which is extended outwardly to meet "the inner surface of the flat part 64 of the boss 63. An elongated opening I3 is provided in the downwardly depending skirt 29 for alignment and registration with thefcorresponding opening H in the boss.

The gun-receiving ring I5 is preferably drawn and pressed out of sheet metal by punching die, although it may be formed out of metal tube as well, or it may be otherwise formed by casting or die-casting or the like.

The ring l5 may be internally screw-threaded as at I6, screw-threadedly to receive the screwlocking means but merely adapted telescopically to receive the suction end [1 of the barrel I8 as a slight manual pressure of the end l1 against a soft or resilient gasket 32 may be sufficient to efiect the necessary seal to permit the suctionwelding of the barrel l8.

The ring I6 is formed with an inturned annular flange 33 at one end. At a point spaced from the inturned flange 33, an inwardlyprojecting lug 34 is provided. This lug may be formed by pressing an indentation 35 inwardly on the outside of the ring, while the inside of the ring is supported by a die of a suitable congour to permit the inward formation of the lug The circular base plate 66 is preferably a flat piece of sheet steel of suitable rigidity and has within it the elongated opening 46 corresponding to the openings l3 and I4 and the generally tubular crimping flange 68 drawn therefrom by a suitable punching die operation, the dimension and contour of the flange 68 being such as to flt neatly into the openings [4 and I3.

The diameter of the base plate 66 is such as neatly to flt within the inner clear diameter 36 of the ring [5 with just sumcient clearance to permit the free rotation of the ring l5 about the outer circular periphery of the base plate 66.

The base plate 66 is then inserted into the ring l5 past the lug 34 thereof (by angling the plate 66) and, with the base plate 66 and ring l5 so assembled in relation to each other, thecrimping .flange 68 of the base plate 66 is inserted through the opening l4 in the boss-face 64 and through the opening l3 in the depending skirt portion 29 of the cover plate 21. This is done before the bottom 6 (with it's'flange 8 and channel 26) has been brought together with the cylindrical or body portion 5 of the reservoir, so that upon the insertion of the crimping flange 68 through the holes I4 and 13, the inner end of the crimping flange 68 may be flared over or crimped over as at '69 (see Figures 1, 2 and 13), thereby forming a fluid-tight seal from the passageway 9 (thereafter formed by combination with the channel, 26) and the opening 46 in the base plate. The base plate 66 is also flrmly secured to the boss-face 64 by spot-welding or riveting the two together at a suitable number of distributedvpoints, so as to give the lar boss 33 and being confined in an axial direction between the peripheral zone of the base plate 33 in an outward direction and the inner oflset portion 31 of the boss in an on. I Thereupon. the bottom unit a including the flange 3. and the channel 23 is telescoped into the bottom of the body I of the reservoir and united thereto by the crimped annular seam ll. Thereafter, the plate 21 is secured to the bottom 3 by spot-welding, soldering, riveting in the marginal none 23.

The rotatable disc 43 is of the samediameter as the stationary base plate 33. The disc 43 has a central pivot hole 33 and'an ofl-center port-hole 33 of the same general contour as the hole 43 in the base plate 36. A slight flnger .or lip-like projection 43 is bent inwardly from the disc 43 from one end of the elongated portholell to serve as a stop to limit the rotation of the disc 43 in either direction. A notch or recess 4i is formed in the periphery of the disc 43 to receive the slight lug 34 of the ring II.- If desired, a thin oil-resistant annular gasket 42 may be interposed between the rotatable shutvoif disc 43 and the stationary base plate 63 in the manner indicated in Figures 1, 2, 13 and 18 to effect a more complete fluid-seal between the rotatable disc 43 and the stationary plate 33. The rotatable disc 43 is then inserted in place as indicated in Figures 1 and 2 with the lug 34 projecting into the notch 4|, thereby to cause the ring I! and disc 43 to rotate in unison. The inwardly projecting stop-finger 40 projects into the hole 43 in the base plate 63 and serves as a stop against the opposed ends 4 and 43 of said hole. I l

A sheet metal pivot and fastening member 52,

'having a central pivotal portion 53 and a peeripheral flange 54, is inserted into the hole 33 of 'the rotatable disc 43 and welded in place onto the base plate 33 by spot-welding, soldering, riveting or otherwise securing at one or more welded. soldered or riveted points, as at 12. This serves to lock the rotatable disc 43 in place without interfering, however, with its rotation.

The sealing gasket 32 is then inserted in the position shown in Figures 1 and 2. A

By screw-threading the end I! of the barrel ll into the ring it, in a clock-wise direction (as when using" a standard right-handed screwthread or a clock-wise locking bayonet catch), the further turning of the barrel i3 in the clockwise direction will cause a rotation of the ring I3 and of the disc 43 in the clock-wise direction until the finger 43 is brought up against the end 44 of the hole 43 in the stationary base plate 33. In this position, the hole 33 is in substantial registration with the hole 43 and the fluid may thus freely flow through the holes 43 and 33 into the barrel i3. After the barrel II has been fllled, the barrel is unscrewed or otherwise detached from the ring is by turning in e counter-clockwise direction. The slight friction incident to this detaching operation should generally be sufflcient to cause the ring II and the disc 43 to be rotated in a counter-clockwise direction until the finger 43 is brought against the other end 43 of theopening 43 in the stationary base plate 33, thereby causing the bottom opening 33 to be brought out of registration with the opening 43 so as to shut off the fluid passage. Thus, as the barrel I3 is detached from the ring I 5, the dispensing device is automatically shut oil! so outward di-' that there will be no free flow or dripp e of grease or other fluid, The ring is may also be knurled on the outside as indicated particularly in Figure 6 so as to permit it to be turned by hand, if necessary, in either direction. Likewise,

slight ribs 33 may also be formed in the ring to facilitate manual gripping or the ring as indicated in Figure 24.

It will thus be seen that the ring i5 is pivotally related both to the stationary base plate 36 which engages the inner bore 36 of the ring as well as to the circular boss 33 which engages the inner periphery of theinturned flange 33 of the ring. The rotatable disc 43 on the other hand is held in centered position both by the ring i5 which supports it on the outside as well as by the pivot member 52 which supports it on the inside. In Figures 13 to 1'7 inclusive, a modified form of construction is shown, in which the rotatable disc is not provided with a stop-finger 40 to project it into the hole 43 of the base plate 63, but in which, instead, the rotatable disc 43 is either provided with a raised arcuate channel 56 as in Figures 14 and 15 or with a corresponding arcuate sitions of the port 33.

In Figures 18 and 19, a modified form of construction is shown in which the discharge parts of the dispensing device including more particularly the gun receiving ring l5 are placed at an upwardinclination. In this form of construction, the base member, which in the forms of construction illustrated in Figures 1, 2, 5 and 13 is designated generally by the numeral 66, is here replaced by a corresponding member 53 which is generally tubular and is provided with the lateral flange 30 which corresponds to and serves the function of the outer peripheral portion of the base plate 66 in the'other modifications and with the terminal wall 3! which serves the function of the inner portions of the base plate 63, in that it is spot-welded or otherwise secured to the boss face 64 and carries the crimp- I or it may be otherwise formed by casting or dieother means. In this form of construction, a

base member 63 may be securedto the side wall 5 of the reservoir by spot-welding, soldering or riveting along the periphery 31 of the flange 13 thereof, or by any other suitable meansa An arcuate slot 14 in the wall I! of.the socket in is adapted-to receive any suitable projection or lug 16 extending from the wall 11 of the member 65, to serve as a limitingstop for limiting the rotation of a socket I to the open and shut positions thereof, that is, the positions in which the ports I8 of the socket III are in registration with or out of registration with the ports 18 of the member 55.

Inv like manner therefore, by turning the socket III in its entirety in a clockwise direction (either by means of the barrel I8 of the grease gun or like dispensing device, or by manually gripping the external knurled or ribbed surface of the socket I0) the socket is turned to the open position. A counter-clockwise rotation in like man-' ner turns the socket into a closed position. This may be reversed, however, if it is desired to used a left-hand thread; in which case the stop end ports are arranged to open by counter-clockwise rotation and to close by clockwise rotation.

In Figures 21 and 22, a further modified form of construction is shown in which the member 65 is provided with an external screw thread 83 and is of a somewhat larger diameter than the socket III, so as to permit it to receive an external cap 84 superimposed upon the socket II) when it is desired more firmly to close the dispensing device, as for instance, when the dispensingdevice is in transit or storage or not in use. The cap 84 is provided with a gasket 85 for sealing against the end of the socket III. The cap 84 also has the effect of tightening the socket Ill against the member 65 thereby more firmly to seal the two contacting surfaces I and II.

In this form of construction, the member 85 I may also be provided with an annular ribbed portion 86 to serve as a guide for the rotatable socket In the form of construction illustrated in Figures 1 to 10 inclusive, a plug 81 illustrated in Figure 12 may be inserted into the ring I5 when the device is not in use, or when the device is in transit or storage.

It will be noticed that in the form of construction shown in Figures 1 to 19 inclusive the insertion and tightening into the ring I5 of either-the barrel I8 of the grease gun or the like or the plug 81 serves to press together more firmly the rotatable disc 43 and stationary base plate 56 thereby .to intensify the seal between them so as to prevent leakage.

The upper end of the cylindrical portion 5 of the reservoir device is preferably flared outwardly as at 48. The upper periphery of the reservoir is preferably! beaded or flared as at 88. The lid 22 is preferably provided with a flange 88 crimped over the bead 88 of the body 5 thereby to secure the lid 22 more or less permanently to the body 5. If'desired, a sealing gasket or other sealing means may be interposed between the crimped flange 88 of the lid 22' and the bead 88 of the body 5.

The lid 22 is preferably provided with a raised portion 23 pressed outwardly from the body of the lid 22 to a height slightly greater than the uppermost peripheral portion of the lid. .A hole is provided in the upper part of the raised portion 23 through which a screw 24 is adapted to extend. The raised portion 23 may either be centrally located or it may be located of! center. A

follower plate l8 may be provided within the reservoirs in the case of more or less viscous fluids although it may be omitted in the case of very fluid materials which flow freely without cavitation, that is, without forming a cavity in the center when removed by suction applied at the bottom. The follower plate I8 may be Provided with a slight flange 20 of a diameter giving a slight clearance in relation to the inner diameter of the body 5 of the reservoir. To the upper surface of the follower I8 a generally inverted cupshaped sheet metal member 88, having a lateral flange 8| and a central screw-threaded hole 82, is secured by spot-welding, soldering, crimping or otherwise securing the flange 8| thereof to the follower plate I8. By engaging the screw 24 in the hole 82 the follower plate I8 may be held in an inoperative position against the lid 22 when the device is not in use, as for instance, when the device is in storage or in transit. By unscrewing the screw 24, the follower plate I8 is released onto the top surface 5I of the fluid within the reservoir and at the same time a vent is formed through the raised part 23.

In Figure 24, a modified form of gun-receiving socket-ring I5 is shown, in which, instead of the external knurling as shown in Figure 6, rib-like projections 83 are formed in the cylindrical portion of the ring, to act as abutments by which the ring can be gripped either manually or by a wrench, if necessary. The ribs 83 may be drawn if into the metal at the time the piece is drawn from the flat sheet steel. In this form of construction the thread It may be interrupted at each of the ribs 83 as shown in Figure 24.

I may also mark upon the side wall of the reservoir 5 directly adjacent to the boss 63 pressed outwardly therefrom, two suitable. marks such as the arrows 84 and 85, to indicate the position to which a' corresponding mark 96 on the outer periphery of the socket-ring I5 must be turned in order to bring the socket to the closed and open positions, respectively. If desired, the words closed and open. may be superimposed in the manner also indicated in Figure 25. If

desired, the-indicator mark on the socket-ring may be merely the punch-mark or depression 35 which serves to form the inward coupling prothe socket to either of the two limiting positions desired, the ring may be grasped manually and the turning completed to the desired position.

In order to reduce th overall height of the fluid-dispensing device, a modified form of construction is shown in Figures 26 and 2'7, wherein the height 81 may be reduced by a special form of cover plate 21 in which the outer portion 88 thereof is turned upwardly as indicated particularly in Figure 26 so as to raise the opening I3 of the apron 28 thereof in relation to the main or level portion of the plate 21, and in this manner to raise the gun-receiving socket l5 and the associated parts in relation to the bottom 8,

thereby permitting a shortening of the distance 81, because the lower part of the socket I5 is raised upwardly.

In Figure 28 a further embodiment of this phase of the present invention is shown, in which a stationary socket I5 is provided without any shut-off in the socket.

In Figure 29, a modified form of follower plate I is shown, formed preferably as a hollow sheet metal body of generally circular shape and formed of'the circular bottom wall IIII and circular upper wall I02 and the cylindrical side wall I83, united by interlapped crimped sealing seams I84 and I05 tocreate a hermetically sealed and completely enclosed body. The cup-shaped sheet metal member 80 is similarly spot-welded, solthe device is virtually empty.

dered, crimped orotherwise secured to the upper plate I02 in the same manner as that indicated heretofore in relation to the form of constructionshowninFigure 1.

This form of construction is desirable for use with more fluid type. of liquid such as lighter' greases or more nearly oil-like greases or similar fluids where a single sheet of metal might sink in the fluid or where the fluid might tend to creep over the edges of the follower. As a further modification, I may also use a block of suitably light wood, cork or other buoyant material as a follower plate in place of the member I00, or any other suitable light material.

In Figures 30, 31, 32, 35 and 36, a modified form of construction is shown in which the bottom 6 is dished downwardly slightly to a suitable extent to form the generally truncated conical annular portion I06 around the periphery thereof, this serving better to guide the last portion of the grease to be withdrawn, toward the inlet opening 1. The extent of the dishing may be varied and the conical portion I06 may xtend nearer to the center if desired. In this form of construction the follower plate I9 is correspondingly flared at its outer periphery 'as at I 01 to form a corresponding truncated conical portion.

In the form of construction shown in Figures and. 31, the outer end 98 of the cover plate 21 (also shown in Figure 32) is turned upwardly at the same angle as the angle of the truncated conical portion I06 and similarly shaped, having I the central portion 3| of the apron 29 also extended outwardly and provided with the aperture II in the manner indicated in Figures 4 and 26; the central portion 3| of the depending skirt 2!! 'being extended just suflicient to flt neatly into and to match the interior of the boss 63 and the wall 64 thereof. I

The downwardly pressed channel portion 26 is pressed out of the bottom in the same way as illustrated in the modification shown in Figures 1, 2, 10, 11, 13, 18, 27 and 28; thechannel 26 extending right out to the outer periphery both through the flat central portion of the bottom as well, as through the conical portion I06 thereof.

In the form of construction illustrated in Figures 35 and 36, instead of the cover plate 21, a

tube I08 of generally fiat cross-section, and preferably a cross-section having a flat top conforming more or less approximately to the cross-section of the channel 28, is provided. The inner end I03 of the tube I08 is preferably bevelled and disposed in the general manner indicated in Figure l5.

The outer end 0 of the tube l08may be then extended through the registering openings It in the wall 64 of the boss and the corresponding opening in, the gun-receiving socket I 5 may be either crimped over as indicated in Figure 35 or it may be soldered or otherwise secured in fluidsealed relation to the socket.

In the form of construction shown in Figures 33 and 34 the cover plate 21 is not provided with any downwardly depending skirt portion 29, but

merely either abutted against the inner wall 0 of' the boss 83 and sealed thereagainst by "soldering or welding as at I I I, or is provided with an upturned .fiange II 2 at its outer end which may be spot-welded to the wall 04. Any slight leakage around the outer end of the plate 21 will not materially affect the operation of the device 30, 31, 33, 34 and 35 the stationary or non-revoluble form of gun-receivingsocket I5 is shown (ofthe form also shown in Figure 28), the revoluble form of socket I5 containing th shut-01f may also be used here in place of the non-revoluble form shown,- in the same manner-as that indicated in Figures 1, 2', 13, 18, 25 and 27.

The dished bottom and correspondingly shaped follower plate indicated in Figures 30, 31,35 and 36 serve more effectively to expel the last portion of the contents of the container.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiments be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being had to the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the invention.

Having thus described th invention, what is hereby claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A fluid-dispensing device comprising a generallyiup'rlght sheet-metal reservoir body, a boss carried by and extending outwardly from the side wall of said reservoir body and presenting a generally flat external surface, and a suction-receiving socket revolubly secured to said generally fiat surface and openings in. said flat boss-surface and in the corresponding part of said suctionreceiving socket adapted to be brought into and out of registration with each other by rotary displacements of said suction-receiving socket.

- 2. A fluid-dispensing device comprising a generally upright sheet-metal reservoir body, a generally circular and generally flat-faced boss carried by-and extending outwardly from the sidewall of: said reservoir body and a suction-receiving socket revolubly secured to said boss, said boss and said suction-receiving socket overlapping each other to a suflicignt extentin a generally axial direction to telto confine the suction-receiving socket againstradial displacement in relation to said boss andopenings in'said fiat boss-surface and in the corresponding, part of said suction-receiving socket adapted to be brought into and out of registration with each other by rotary displacements of said suctionreceiving socket.

3. A fluid-dispensing device comprising a gen- I erally upright sheet-metal reservoir body, a pivot plate secured to a wall of said reservoirbodyr a socket-ring rotatably surrounding said plate and having interlocking engagement therewith tending to prevent an outward displacement of said ring in an axial direction in relation to said plate,

. 4. A fluid-dispensing device including a generally upright sheet-metal reservoir body, an apertured base plate on a wall of said body, a socket-ring revolubly retained by said base plate,

-a correspondingly apertured rotatable shut-oi! as the only opportunity for any leakage is when It should be understood that while disc operable by said socket-ring in operative juxtaposition'to "said base plate,.to open and close the aperture thereof by opposite rotary motions V of the socket-ring.

A fluid-dispensing device comprising a generally upright sheet-metal reservoir body, an

apertured base plate secured to a wall of said reservoir body having its peripheral portions clear of said reservoir wall, a rotatable socket-ring surrounding the periphery of said base plate and interlockingly related thereto, a correspondingly apertured rotatable shut-ofi disc within said ring revolubly secured to said base plate having connection with said ringto cause it to rotate in unison with said ring.

6. A fluid-dispensing device comprising a generally upright sheet-metal body having a discharge aperture near the bottom thereof, an apertured base plate having a sealing flange extending therefrom around the aperture thereof, said sealing flange extending through the aperture in said reservoir body and being flared outwardly on the inside of said reservoir body and crimped tightly to form a fluid-tight seal, establishing communication between the aperture ,of

said body and the aperture in said base plate, a

rotatable socket-ring surrounding said baseplate and interlockingl related thereto against axial displacement, and a shut-off disc within said socket pivotally secured to said base plate.

I 7. A fluid-dispensing device comprising a sheet-metal body having a discharge opening near the bottom thereof, an apertured base plate Secured to said reservoir body with its aperture in registration with the aforesaid discharge aper ture and having the peripheral zone thereof clear of said body, and a socket-ring rotatably surrounding said base plate and having an intumed flange extending into the space between the peripheral zone of said base plate and the reservoir body andbeing conflned therebetween against axial displacement.

8. A fluid-dispensing device comprising a sheet-metal body having a discharge opening near the bottom thereof, an apertured base plate secured to said reservoir body with its'aperture in registration with the aforesaid discharge aperture and having the peripheral zone thereof clear of said body, a socket-ring rotatably surrounding said base plate and having an intumed flange extending into the space between the peripheral zone of said base plate and the reservoir body and being confined therebetween against axial displacement, and a shut-oil disc pivotally secured to said base plate and operable by rotary to and fro displacement of said socket-ring.

9. A fluid-dispensing device comprising a generally upright sheet-metal body having a sheetmetal bottom, a. channel pressed out of said sheet-metal bottom in a generally downward direction, a discharge aperture in the side-wall of said reservoir body beneath the level of the bottom and in general alignment with the aforesaid channel, a cover plate secured to said loottom over said channel and arranged to leave exposed a part of the channel spaced inwardly from the side-wall of the reservoir body, a downwardly depending perforated apertured apron extending downwardly from said cover plate adjacent the metal bottom, a channel pressed out of said sheet-metal bottom in a generally downward direction, a. discharge aperture in the side-wall of'said reservoir body beneath the level' of the bottom and in general alignment with the afore-' said channel, a cover plate secured to said bottom over said channel and arranged to leave exposed a part of the channel spaced inwardly from the side-wall of the reservoir body, a downwardly depending perforated apertured apron extending downwardly from said cover plate adjacent the side-wall of said reservoir body and having its aperture in general registration with the aforesaid discharge aperture in the side-wall of the reservoir body, an apertured base plate secured to the side-wall with its aperture in registration with the aforementioned apertures,

and a generally tubular sealing flange extending from said base plate through the apertures in said apron and in the side-wall of the reservoir body and flared outwardly into crimped-sealing relation to said apertures on the inside of said apron, a socket ring surrounding said base plate and havingan'inturned flange extending between said base plate and the side-wall of said reservoir body, and a shut-oifdisc pivotally secured to saidbase plate, and having connection with said socket-ring.

11. A fluid dispensing device comprising a generally upright reservoir body formed of relatively thin and more or less form-retaining sheet material, an inverted cup-like bottom member of relatively thin and more or less form-retaining sheet material telescoped into the lower end of said reservoir body and secured thereto in fluidtight relation, said bottom member having a downwardly pressed discharge channel extending downwardly therefrom, a discharge opening in the side wall of said reservoir body in general alignment with said channel, a cover-plate secured to said bottom over said channel and arranged to leave exposed a part of the channel spaced inwardly from the side wall of said reservoir for the ingress of the fluid content of said reservoir into said channelj the outer end of said cover plate being formed upwardly to a point slightly above the general level of said cover plate, and having a downwardlyedepending perforated apron at its end wh'ose perforation is in general alignment with the discharge opening in the side wall of said reservoir, and a socket associated with the side wall of said reservoir and having a passageway therethrough near the lower portion thereof in communication with the aforesaid discharge opening in the side wall oi" the container and the aperture in the apron of saidcover plate.

12. A fluid-dispensing device comprising a generally upright. reservoir body formed of a relatively thin and more or less form-retainingsheet material, an inverted cup-like bottom member of relatively thin and more or less form-retaining sheet material telescoped into the lower end of said reservoir body and secured thereto in fluidtight relation; bottom portion of said memher being dished downwardly to form 'an inclined bottom converging towards the center, said bottom having its outer marginal portion inclined downwardly from its periphery and a follower plate of a contour generally corresponding to the contour of said bottom.

13. A fluid dispensing device suitable for filling grease-guns and the like and suitable for use as an original vendable merchandising package unit -of the reservoir body is to be dispensed, and

for containing more or less viscous greases and like fluids in transit and storage and for thereafter dispensing the same, including a generally upright reservoir body, formed of relatively thin, light-weight, generally form-retaining sheet material and having side-wall, bottom and top, together forming a generally completely enclosed reservoir, a generally cylindrical socket revolubly secured to the side-wall of said reservoir exteriorly thereof and having a controllable passageway therethrough in communicable relation with the bottom zone of the interior of said reservoir and adapted telescopically and sealingly to receive a tubular member into which the contents means for controlling the passage through said passageway by a rotary displacement of said suction-receiving socket. I

14. A fluid-dispensing device suitablefor filling grease-guns and the like and suitable for use as an original vendable merchandising package unit for containing more or less viscous greases and like fluids in transit and storage and for thereafter dispensing the same, including a generally upright reservoir body formed of relatively thin,

light-weight, generally form-retaining sheet material and having side-wall, bottom and top, to-

gether forming a generally completely enclosed reservoir, a suction-receiving socket revolubly secured to the side-wall of said reservoir exteriorly thereof and having a controllable passageway therethrough in communicable relation with the bottom zoneof the interior ofsaid reservoir and adapted sealingly to receive a tubular member into which the contents of the reservoir body is to be dispensed, readily attachable and detachable coupling means associated with said suction-receiving socket for making interlocking connection with any tubular member having complementary coupling means and adapted to couple by relative rotary motion in one direction, and to uncouple by relative rotary motion in the opposite direction, and means for controlling the passage through said passageway by a rotary displacement of said suction-receiving socket, and capable of being set to its open position by coupling said tubular member to said suction-receiving socket and capable of being set to its closed position by uncoupling said tubular member from said suction-receiving socket.

15. A fluid-dispensing device suitable for filling grease-guns and the like and suitable for use as after dispensing the same, including a generally unit for containing more or less viscous-greases and like fluids in transit and storage and for thereafter dispensing the same, including a generally upright reservoir body formed of relatively thin, light-weight, generally form-retaining sheet material and having side-wall, bottom and top, together forming a generally completely enclosed reservoir, a suction-receiving socket revolubly secured to the side-wall of said reservoir exteriorly thereof and adapted sealingly to receive a tubular member into which the contentsof the reservoir body is to be dispensed, and means for controlling the passage through said discharge opening by a rotary displacement of said socket, operable through said tubular member by the frictional engagement between said socket and said tubular member.

17. A fluid-dispensing device suitable for filling grease-guns and the like and suitable for use as; an original vendable merchandisingv package unit for containing more or less viscous greases and like fluids in transit and storage and for there-' after dispensing the same, including a generally uprightsheet-metal reservoir'body, having a dis-- charge opening near its bottom, a socket pivotally carried by the side-wall of said reservoir body exteriorly thereof, adapted telescopically and sealingly to receive a tubular member into which the contents of the reservoir body'isto be disposed,

formed of relatively thin, light-weight, generally form-retaining sheet material and having a disupright reservoir body formed of relatively thin,

light-weight, generally form-retaining sheet ma- I terial and having side-wall, bottom and top, to-

gether forming a generally completely enclosed reservoir, a suction-receiving socket revolubly secured to the side-wall of said reservoir exteriorly thereof and having a controllable passageway therethrough in communicable relation with the bottom zone of the interior of said reservoir and adapted sealingly to receive a tubular member into which the contents of the reservoir body is to be dispensed, and means for controlling the passage through said passageway by a rotary displacement of said suction-receiving socket, operable through said tubular member.

16. A fluid-dispensing device suitable for filling grease-guns and the like and suitable foruse as an original vendable merchandising package charge opening, a generally cylindrical socket pivotally secured'to said reservoir body in operative relation to said discharge opening and adapted telescopically and sealingly to receive a tubular member into which the contents of the reservoir body is to be dispensed, means for controlling the passage through'sai'd discharge opening by a rotary displacement of said socket, said controlling means comprising a pair of juxtaposed walls disposed generally transversely of the axis of rotation of said socket, one of said walls being stationary and the other being rotatable co-axially with said socket, each of said. walls having a port extending generally parallel to said axis of rotation whereby said ports may be brought into or out of registration with each other by rotation of said rotatable wall, and a conduit forming a forming a generally completely enclosed reservoir, a discharge opening near the bottom thereof, a suction-receiving socket'securedto the sidewall of said reservoir body exteriorly thereof in operative relation to said discharge opening and adapted sealingly to receive a tubular member into which the contents of the reservoir body are adapted to be dispensed, and shubofl means in operative relation to said discharge opening, said shut-off means being adapted to be' opened by rotary motion of said tubular member while entering said suction-receiving socket, said shutoff means being adaptedto be closed by rotary v motion of said tubular member while leaving said suction-receiving socket.

20. A fluid-dispensing device suitable for filling grease-guns and the like and suitable for use as an original vendable merchandising package unit for containing more or less viscous greases and like fluids in transit and storage and for thereafter dispensing'the same, including a generally upright reservoir formed of relatively thin lightweight and more or less form-retaining sheet material, said reservoir having 'a bottom and having a discharge opening through the side wall thereof near the bottom thereof, a conduit lead: ing to said discharge opening from a generally central opening in said bottom, a suction-receiving socket associated with the side-wall of said reservoir in operative relation to the discharge opening therethrough and adapted'telescopically and sealingly to receive a tubular member into which the contents of the reservoir are adapted to be dispensed, a lid more or less permanently secured to the top of said reservoir in generally fluid-tight sealing relation thereto, a buoyant follower member within said reservoir and adapted to float on top of thefluid content thereof and v to follow downwardly on top of said fluid content,

said buoyant follower member and the bottom of said reservoir having generally complementary matching dished surfaces whereby said surfaces may closely approach each' other to ensure the discharge of substantially all of the contents of the reservoir through the central opening in said bottom, and a vent in the upper part'of said reservoir for maintaining said upper part in free communication with the atmosphere while, the device is discharging.

21. A fluid-dispensing device suitable for filling [grease-guns and the like and suitable foruse as 1 an original vendable merchandising package unit for containing more or less viscous greases and like fluids in transit andstorage and for thereafter dispensing the same, including a generally upright reservoir formed of relatively thin lightweight and more or less form-retaining sheet material, said reservoir having a bottom and having a discharge opening through the side wall thereof near the bottom thereof, a conduit leading to said discharge opening from a generally central opening in said bottom, a suction-receive ing socket associated with the side-wall of said reservoir in operative relation to the discharge opening therethrough and adapted telescopically and sealingly to receive a tubular member into which the contents of the reservoir are adapted to be dispensed, alid more or less permanently secured to the top of said reservoir in generally fluid-tight sealing relation thereto, a buoyant follower member within said reservoir and adapted to float on top of the fluid content thereof and to follow downwardly on top of said fluid content,

said buoyant follower member and the bottom of said reservoir having generally complementary v matching dished surfaces whereby said surfaces may closely approach each other to ensure the discharge of substantially all of the contents of the reservoir through the central opening in said bottom, a vent in .the'upper part of said reservoir for maintaining said upper part in free communication with the atmosphere while the device is discharging, and means for detachably retaining said buoyant follower member against said lid while in transit or storage and prior to use and for releasing it therefrom at will.

EDWIN P. SUNDHOLM. 

